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September 30, 2008

Thank you to all of you who prayed for Bill and I and our trip last weekend.

With two days of IV fluids and the help of extra medication, I did make the trip. And I am very glad I did.

It was hard seeing Mom so ill, but she put her last effort into our visit - pushing herself to talk and whisper and even ate some potato soup and chocolate milkshake for me!

We saw a few moments of the real mom behind the Alzheimer's and the sick body, which was a joy. But when it was time to leave, she had spent it all and we were not able to communicate with her. It was hard to say goodbye.

We did have some good time with Dad - took him out a few times and he got a great nights sleep that night.

However, when we left she was unresponsive. By the next morning she was running a fever and Hospice said her organs were in the process of shutting down.

Mom passed away last night. It was peaceful and painless and she is now in charge of hospitality in heaven! :-) We're all glad for our hope in Jesus and our confidence of her eternal life with Him.

Now, we face the trials of traveling again this week, facing and talking and serving the many people who will be grieving her. Bill was born and raised in that church and I attended it from the time we moved to Davis, so there will be a lot of people to talk to and a lot of work to do.

And of course, the whole family is tired and emotionally drained already. Dad needs your prayers. Bill is so good for his Dad, and I know Bill's presence will bring him comfort. But he's still grappling with letting go.

Please pray for all of our plans and travels. Some or all of us will drive the 11 hour drive. I may fly and shorten the trip as I am still recovering from last weekend. And we'd like to get Chris home for his High School retreat if possible so we are looking into Alaska Airlines Bereavement fares.

Yes, I will get back to the questions when I recover from all of this. But for now, let me leave you with some words from Isaiah.

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.Isaiah 35:10

September 24, 2008

I've had a sudden and very deep crash this week. My whole body system is "off" but most of the fatigue is like nothing most people can imagine. Even I forget how bad it can get until it does!

I get some IV fluids today and tomorrow. Our plans were/are to fly down for one day and one night to see Mom and Dad P.

Mom continues to hang on, but they say it will only be a couple weeks at the longest.

I hope so much to take this trip, and maybe with the IV's and lots of meds I'll be able to do it - but I know that will mean a major crash again when I get home.

Pray for us to have peace over God's direction. I think of one of my favorite verses from Question 2: It is Psalm 23. I've never been very good at memorizing, but my 3rd grade Sunday School teacher was patient with me and I memorized it and earned my pack of lifesavers. That Psalm has stuck with me all my life.

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

We are walking in a Valley right now, but the LORD is my comfort. He is rest for my tortured soul! I am so thankful for this Psalm of King David's and for these reminders of who and what I really have!

Thank you for your prayers.

I will post soon. Either when I get back, if the LORD is willing to get me to a place that I can travel, or while Bill is away. Because he needs to go and see his Mom, whether I can go or not.

September 20, 2008

I would have to say - the number one artist that inspires me is Vincent Van Gogh.

I had never been all that interested in his art - he often went a little too unrealistic in his impressionism for my logical brain.

But it wasn't until the day that I visited the Toledo Museum of Art that I really became interested in Van Gogh. I am a fan of the impressionists so of course, I insisted we start there - not knowing how my energy would hold up!

I knew I would be seeing a real Monet, several Cezanne's and a Van Gogh among other famous artists. But I did not expect the impact that Van Gogh's painting would have on me.

I walked up to it - a simple painting of a wheat field, with harvesters and rolls of wheat - but as I looked at that painting - there was so much feeling in this beautiful simple, yet complex painting, that tears began to well up in my eyes. I eyes were glued to that painting and I returned to it several times that day.

Later, I learned more about Van Gogh and his life. We remember him as the crazy man who cut off his ear. But he was really a man who couldn't find his place - partly because he was different and partly because society rejected the beautiful gift he was able to offer God and humankind!

I was really touched by the story his life. His father was a preacher, and he too went into the ministry. He loved and wanted to serve people, but he was a quiet man - and not well spoken. Yes, he was gifted, but not with the gifts that were valued by the church of that time. He was let go from his position and was set adrift. He spoke through his painting - calling out to God and mankind through his art.

I could go on with more of his story - but this last thing is what inspires me from Van Gogh's difficult life as an artist. He spoke to God and he spoke to people through his art. I knew it the moment I saw that first painting! That's what brought tears to my eyes.

Someone can be a good artist but not give a care about God or people. And we stand and look at that art and are interested and even amazed at the ability.

But an artist that paints speaking to God... an artist that paints with a deep love for people... his/her art moves the heart and soul of the viewer!

And that's the kind of artist I want to be!

I may come back to this question, because there are several more artists that really inspire me... but this is a long enough blog for now! :-)

Watch soon for the answer to Quest #2!

AND ... I added a new gadget to my blog! You can become a "Follower" . What does that mean? It means that my blog will show how many people like to follow up on what's happening on my blog and, if you have a blogger account, you get to see snippets of each blog you are following so you know when you might want to read them! So if you'd like, add your self to my Follower's list!

September 12, 2008

Thank you to all of you who have known of, and prayed for, the recent pain and difficulties for Bill's mom. I thought you all might like a little update on how to pray - and for all my friends that I have not yet contacted - a bit of an update as well.

Bill's mom has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and though progressing, we didn't know how long or how fast it would develop. Then she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumor. The Alzheimer's began to quickly progress.

Against the better judgment of their children, they took a last trip to Hawaii. Mom had found a lump on her head, but didn't tell anyone because she really wanted that trip to Hawaii. As it turns out... it was a good choice. They had a wonderful time and the lump, though cancerous and diagnosed as untreatable, may have kept them from enjoying this last trip together.

Mom and Dad P. have been married for over 60 years and have enjoyed traveling the world together so this really was a blessing.

The cancer found on her skull, has spread through her body and now shattered her hip. She had surgery yesterday and we were unsure if she could even survive the surgery. But she did! Thank you to all of you who prayed for her surgery.

Now, you can pray, as the children all figure out what facility to move Mom to from the hospital, and how to best care for Dad.

They're both in their 80's, and have lived good long lives. They have enjoyed world travel many times, opened their home over and over again to strangers and newcomers, were blessed with children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

September 4, 2008

I've been able to get out a bit lately and it's been wonderful to connect with a few friends and say Hi to many of you!

One of the questions I've been asked the most is "What do you do with your time?"

I'm sure it can be hard to imagine what a person like me actually "does" all day!!!

As I've told a few of you, it greatly depends on the type of day I am having. It can range anwhere from just sleeping and watching a couple movies, to a good day of painting!

And even better, yesterday, I was able to make it out for the whole morning (with the help of extra meds) and attend all the parent meetings and preparations for Chris' classes.

Today, though, is my payback day. My body pays me back for taking a day like yesterday. I slept til 9:30, stayed in bed til noon (drinking tea and doing a few things slowly on my computer) then got up and finally got dressed and had made a quick sandwich before collapsing into my recliner!My body hurts everywhere. I feel OK if I'm just sitting here, but my concentration is shot. No multi-tasking for me today!!!!

But it's not a sad today though. I am so happy I could do the things I needed to yesterday, even if my body does have to pay for it today!

Well... I thought you might enjoy seeing a recent painting I was able to complete on one of those good days!

In my Etsy store, TheCreatorsPalette, I have listed various sizes of customized paintings! (4x6, a 5x7, an 8x10, an 11x14 or a 12x16)

I had a customer who contacted me and asked if I could paint her house with her two boys sitting on the front door step. I had her email me a few pictures to evaluate and then gave her the thumbs up. So she purchased an 8x10 custom painting while I had them on sale this summer!

She gave me permission to put it on my blog and share it with all of you!

After she purchased the custom painting, we began emailing back and forth - confirming how much of the house to show, the colors of the siding, roof and brick and so on.

I had quite a few reference pics, but here is the reference picture I worked from the most.

I began painting, and emailed a few questions as I went. She helped me with the real color of the house, told me what was in that dark shadowed corner etc. It all came together quite smoothly! My customer was thrilled with the completed picture! In fact, after seeing the scan I sent for her approval, she began talking to me about a second commission - even before she had received the actual painting! That is the best compliment she could have given me!!!

Here is the completed painting.

I'm finding that I really enjoy doing commissions. I really enjoy the interaction with my customers and I'm looking forward to the next commission with this customer!

Well, thanks for reading my rambling today. I guess I'm off to watch a movie. But first I'd better heat up a rice bag ... my feet are freezing!!!!